Empress Lu

Empress Lu Zhi (241-180 BC) was Empress of the Han from 202 to 195 BC as the wife of Emperor Liu Bang.

Biography
Lu Zhi was born in Shan County, Shandong in 241 BC, the daughter of Lu Wen. When she was young, she ran away from an arranged marriage with the dowry in hand, leading to her family making enemies and being forced to flee to Pei County. There, the constable Liu Bang saved her father from the family's enemies, who attempted to storm the house and take Lu Zhi, and Lu Zhi volunteered to marry Liu Bang in order to provide security for her family. She bore Liu Bang a daughter (Princess Yuan of Lu) and a son (Emperor Hui of Han). She, her son, and chancellor Xiao He presided over the Han empire's administration while Emperor Liu Bang suppressed rebellions against his rule. She later had Han Xin and Peng Yue executed for supporting the rebellions. After her son became Emperor in 194 AD, she had Concubine Qi and her son Liu Ruyi put to death, and her son was shocked by her cruelty and fell sick for a year, withdrawing from state affairs. Lu then dominated the political scene for the next 14 years until her death in 180 BC.